https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...ver-north-korea-top-pentagon-general-12201870
World US 'prepared for whatever' from North Korea: Top Pentagon general
US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley (R) says the United States is prepared for "whatever" from North Korea amid concerns Pyongyang, frustrated over the lack of sanctions relief, could take provocative actions in the coming days. AFP/Drew Angerer
21 Dec 2019 01:36AM (Updated: 21 Dec 2019 01:36AM)
Bookmark
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon's top general said Friday (Dec 20) the US military is ready for anything from North Korea in the face of Pyongyang's ominous promise of a "Christmas gift" if Washington does not act to ease tensions.
"Korea is one of those places in the world where we've always maintained high levels of readiness," said General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The US alliance with Japan and South Korea is "rock-solid," he said.
"I think it's prepared to defend the interests of the United States, Japan and South Korea at a moment's notice," he told reporters.
Milley declined to say whether US and allied forces in the region had stepped up readiness in the face of the possibility that North Korea could test a new nuclear-capable missile in the near future.
"North Korea has indicated a variety of things. And I think you're aware of all those. So we are prepared for whatever," he said.
Speaking next to Milley, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US was ready "to fight tonight" if necessary, but stressed the need for diplomacy with North Korea.
"I remain hopeful that we could get the process started again and remain on the diplomatic path," Esper said.
Pyongyang has shown frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month it promised a "Christmas gift" if the US does not come up with concessions by the end of the year after it placed a moratorium on long-range missile tests.
US North Korea negotiator Stephen Biegun - just confirmed to the number two position in the State Department - visited Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing this week for discussions on the regional security situation.
In Seoul, he called Pyongyang's comments "so hostile and negative and so unnecessary."
He challenged North Korea to restart discussions.
"It is time for us to do our jobs. Let's get this done. We are here and you know how to reach us."
A provocative missile test, he added, "will be most unhelpful in achieving lasting peace on the Korean peninsula."
Source: AFP/nh
Tagged Topics
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east...-christmas-gift-us-prepared-whatever-says-top
North Korea’s Christmas gift? US ‘prepared for whatever’, says top Pentagon general Mark Milley
General Mark Milley prepares to speak at the Pentagon on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Pentagon’s top general said on Friday that the US military was ready for anything from North Korea in the face of Pyongyang’s ominous promise of a “Christmas gift” if Washington does not act to ease tensions.
“Korea is one of those places in the world where we’ve always maintained high levels of readiness,” said General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The US alliance with Japan and South Korea is “rock solid”, he said.
“I think it’s prepared to defend the interests of the United States, Japan and South Korea at a moment’s notice,” he told reporters.
US Defence Secretary Mike Esper speaks at a press conference at the Pentagon on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Milley declined to say whether US and allied forces in the region had stepped up readiness in the face of the possibility that North Korea could test a new nuclear-capable missile soon.
“North Korea has indicated a variety of things. And I think you’re aware of all those. So we are prepared for whatever,” he said.
Speaking next to Milley, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the US was ready “to fight tonight” if necessary, but stressed the need for diplomacy with North Korea.
SUBSCRIBE TO This Week in Asia
Get updates direct to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
“I remain hopeful that we could get the process started again and remain on the diplomatic path,” Esper said.
North Korea profits from citizens working abroad but time is running out
20 Dec 2019
Pyongyang has shown frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with US President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month it promised a “Christmas gift” if the US did not come up with concessions by the end of the year after it placed a moratorium on long-range missile tests.
US North Korea negotiator Stephen Biegun – just confirmed to the No 2 position in the State Department – visited Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing this week for discussions on the regional security situation.
In Seoul, he called Pyongyang’s comments “so hostile and negative and so unnecessary”.
US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun speaks to reporters after arriving in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo
He challenged North Korea to restart discussions.
“It is time for us to do our jobs. Let’s get this done. We are here and you know how to reach us.”
A provocative missile test, he added, “will be most unhelpful in achieving lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.”
https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/world/2019-12-21/doc-iihnzhfz7390795.shtml
朝或送美"圣诞礼物" 美防长：美军今晚就可以打仗
2019年12月21日 15:24 澎湃新闻
402
对于朝鲜日前表示可能送上的“圣诞礼物”，美国参谋长联席会议主席、陆军上将马克·米利（Mark Milley）表态称，美军已“做好一切准备”。
据新加坡《联合早报》12月21日报道，美国当地时间20日，马克·米利在五角大楼的记者会上形容，朝鲜半岛是美军在世界上总是保持高度战备状态的地方之一，美国与日本和韩国的同盟“坚如磐石”。
对于朝鲜可能试射一种新型核导弹，美军及其区域盟友是否强化了战备级别，米利则拒绝透露。他说：“我想大家都了解，朝鲜已表明很多东西。所以我们已做好一切准备。”
据报道，美国国防部长埃斯帕（Mark Esper）也确认这一点。他说，若有必要，美国“今晚就可以打仗”。但埃斯帕也强调，外交途径仍是实现朝鲜半岛无核化的最佳途径，仍然希望美朝双方可以重启对话，留在外交的轨道上。
由于朝美无核化谈判迟迟没有进展，朝美关系近期正在陷入自2018年在新加坡举行首次“金特会”以来最紧张的状态。
12月3日，朝鲜外务省负责美国事务的副相李泰成向美国发出警告，称年底期限逼近朝鲜会准备什么样的“圣诞礼物”，“完全取决于美国的选择”。 韩国舆论认为，朝鲜或在圣诞节发射洲际弹道导弹，美朝关系有可能再次陷入僵局。
近日，美国新晋副国务卿、朝鲜政策特别代表史蒂芬·比根访问了韩国、日本及中国，寻求与朝方恢复对话，但未能如愿。
12月16日，比根在首尔表示，截至目前在半岛问题上未能取得期待的进展，但美方不会放弃。关于朝鲜对美国设定的“年底期限”，比根表示，美方没有设定最后期限，但怀有一个目标，即希望履行美朝领导人在新加坡会晤达成的承诺。
比根16日警告朝方不要“挑衅”，称类似举动无助实现半岛持久和平，“我们和朝方有能力选择一条更好的路”。他说，一个具挑衅意味的导弹试射，对于实现朝鲜半岛长久和平将是“最无益的”。
（本文来自澎湃新闻，更多原创资讯请下载“澎湃新闻”APP）
North Korea or send US "Christmas gifts" US Defense Secretary: US troops can fight tonight
December 21, 2019 15:24 Surging News
402
Regarding the "Christmas gifts" that North Korea has indicated may have been given, Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Army, stated that the US military was "prepared for everything."
According to a report by Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" on December 21, on the 20th local time in the United States, Mark Milly described at a Pentagon press conference that the Korean Peninsula is one of the places where the US military always maintains a high degree of readiness in the world. The alliance with South Korea is "solid as a rock."
For whether North Korea may test-fire a new type of nuclear missile, whether the US military and its regional allies have strengthened their combat readiness level, Miri declined to say. "I think everyone understands that North Korea has shown a lot. So we are ready for everything," he said.
According to reports, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also confirmed this. He said the United States "can fight tonight" if necessary. However, Espa also emphasized that the diplomatic approach is still the best way to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and he still hopes that the United States and North Korea can resume dialogue and stay on the diplomatic track.
Because the DPRK-US denuclearization negotiations have been delayed and no progress has been made, DPRK-US relations have recently fallen into the most tense state since the first "Gold Special Meeting" was held in Singapore in 2018.
On December 3, Lee Tae Sung, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States, issued a warning to the United States, saying that the end of the year is close to what kind of "Christmas gifts" the North Koreans will prepare, "it depends entirely on the choice of the United States. South Korean public opinion believes that North Korea may launch intercontinental ballistic missiles at Christmas, and US-DPRK relations may be deadlocked again.
Recently, Stephen Bigan, the newly-appointed US Under Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korean Policy, visited South Korea, Japan, and China in an attempt to resume dialogue with the DPRK, but failed to do so.
比 On December 16, Bigan stated in Seoul that the expected progress on the Peninsula issue has not been achieved so far, but the United States will not give up. Regarding North Korea's "end-of-year deadline" for the United States, Bigan stated that the United States did not set a deadline but cherishes the goal of fulfilling the commitments reached by the US and North Korean leaders in their meeting in Singapore.
On the 16th, Bibigen warned the DPRK not to "provoke", saying that similar actions will not help achieve lasting peace on the peninsula. "We and the DPRK have the ability to choose a better way." He said that a provocative missile test launch would be "the least useful" for achieving long-term peace on the Korean peninsula.
(This article comes from Surging News. For more original information, please download the Surging News app.)
Kim Jong-un
World US 'prepared for whatever' from North Korea: Top Pentagon general
US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley (R) says the United States is prepared for "whatever" from North Korea amid concerns Pyongyang, frustrated over the lack of sanctions relief, could take provocative actions in the coming days. AFP/Drew Angerer
21 Dec 2019 01:36AM (Updated: 21 Dec 2019 01:36AM)
Bookmark
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon's top general said Friday (Dec 20) the US military is ready for anything from North Korea in the face of Pyongyang's ominous promise of a "Christmas gift" if Washington does not act to ease tensions.
"Korea is one of those places in the world where we've always maintained high levels of readiness," said General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The US alliance with Japan and South Korea is "rock-solid," he said.
"I think it's prepared to defend the interests of the United States, Japan and South Korea at a moment's notice," he told reporters.
Milley declined to say whether US and allied forces in the region had stepped up readiness in the face of the possibility that North Korea could test a new nuclear-capable missile in the near future.
"North Korea has indicated a variety of things. And I think you're aware of all those. So we are prepared for whatever," he said.
Speaking next to Milley, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US was ready "to fight tonight" if necessary, but stressed the need for diplomacy with North Korea.
"I remain hopeful that we could get the process started again and remain on the diplomatic path," Esper said.
Pyongyang has shown frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month it promised a "Christmas gift" if the US does not come up with concessions by the end of the year after it placed a moratorium on long-range missile tests.
US North Korea negotiator Stephen Biegun - just confirmed to the number two position in the State Department - visited Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing this week for discussions on the regional security situation.
In Seoul, he called Pyongyang's comments "so hostile and negative and so unnecessary."
He challenged North Korea to restart discussions.
"It is time for us to do our jobs. Let's get this done. We are here and you know how to reach us."
A provocative missile test, he added, "will be most unhelpful in achieving lasting peace on the Korean peninsula."
Source: AFP/nh
Tagged Topics
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east...-christmas-gift-us-prepared-whatever-says-top
North Korea’s Christmas gift? US ‘prepared for whatever’, says top Pentagon general Mark Milley
- Pyongyang has set year-end deadline for US concessions, showing frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with Trump
- Defence chief Mark Esper stresses need for diplomacy, but says US ready ‘to fight tonight’ if necessary
General Mark Milley prepares to speak at the Pentagon on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Pentagon’s top general said on Friday that the US military was ready for anything from North Korea in the face of Pyongyang’s ominous promise of a “Christmas gift” if Washington does not act to ease tensions.
“Korea is one of those places in the world where we’ve always maintained high levels of readiness,” said General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The US alliance with Japan and South Korea is “rock solid”, he said.
“I think it’s prepared to defend the interests of the United States, Japan and South Korea at a moment’s notice,” he told reporters.
US Defence Secretary Mike Esper speaks at a press conference at the Pentagon on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Milley declined to say whether US and allied forces in the region had stepped up readiness in the face of the possibility that North Korea could test a new nuclear-capable missile soon.
“North Korea has indicated a variety of things. And I think you’re aware of all those. So we are prepared for whatever,” he said.
Speaking next to Milley, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the US was ready “to fight tonight” if necessary, but stressed the need for diplomacy with North Korea.
SUBSCRIBE TO This Week in Asia
Get updates direct to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
“I remain hopeful that we could get the process started again and remain on the diplomatic path,” Esper said.
North Korea profits from citizens working abroad but time is running out
20 Dec 2019
Pyongyang has shown frustration at the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with US President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month it promised a “Christmas gift” if the US did not come up with concessions by the end of the year after it placed a moratorium on long-range missile tests.
US North Korea negotiator Stephen Biegun – just confirmed to the No 2 position in the State Department – visited Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing this week for discussions on the regional security situation.
In Seoul, he called Pyongyang’s comments “so hostile and negative and so unnecessary”.
US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun speaks to reporters after arriving in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo
He challenged North Korea to restart discussions.
“It is time for us to do our jobs. Let’s get this done. We are here and you know how to reach us.”
A provocative missile test, he added, “will be most unhelpful in achieving lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.”
https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/world/2019-12-21/doc-iihnzhfz7390795.shtml
朝或送美"圣诞礼物" 美防长：美军今晚就可以打仗
2019年12月21日 15:24 澎湃新闻
402
对于朝鲜日前表示可能送上的“圣诞礼物”，美国参谋长联席会议主席、陆军上将马克·米利（Mark Milley）表态称，美军已“做好一切准备”。
据新加坡《联合早报》12月21日报道，美国当地时间20日，马克·米利在五角大楼的记者会上形容，朝鲜半岛是美军在世界上总是保持高度战备状态的地方之一，美国与日本和韩国的同盟“坚如磐石”。
对于朝鲜可能试射一种新型核导弹，美军及其区域盟友是否强化了战备级别，米利则拒绝透露。他说：“我想大家都了解，朝鲜已表明很多东西。所以我们已做好一切准备。”
据报道，美国国防部长埃斯帕（Mark Esper）也确认这一点。他说，若有必要，美国“今晚就可以打仗”。但埃斯帕也强调，外交途径仍是实现朝鲜半岛无核化的最佳途径，仍然希望美朝双方可以重启对话，留在外交的轨道上。
由于朝美无核化谈判迟迟没有进展，朝美关系近期正在陷入自2018年在新加坡举行首次“金特会”以来最紧张的状态。
12月3日，朝鲜外务省负责美国事务的副相李泰成向美国发出警告，称年底期限逼近朝鲜会准备什么样的“圣诞礼物”，“完全取决于美国的选择”。 韩国舆论认为，朝鲜或在圣诞节发射洲际弹道导弹，美朝关系有可能再次陷入僵局。
近日，美国新晋副国务卿、朝鲜政策特别代表史蒂芬·比根访问了韩国、日本及中国，寻求与朝方恢复对话，但未能如愿。
12月16日，比根在首尔表示，截至目前在半岛问题上未能取得期待的进展，但美方不会放弃。关于朝鲜对美国设定的“年底期限”，比根表示，美方没有设定最后期限，但怀有一个目标，即希望履行美朝领导人在新加坡会晤达成的承诺。
比根16日警告朝方不要“挑衅”，称类似举动无助实现半岛持久和平，“我们和朝方有能力选择一条更好的路”。他说，一个具挑衅意味的导弹试射，对于实现朝鲜半岛长久和平将是“最无益的”。
（本文来自澎湃新闻，更多原创资讯请下载“澎湃新闻”APP）
North Korea or send US "Christmas gifts" US Defense Secretary: US troops can fight tonight
December 21, 2019 15:24 Surging News
402
Regarding the "Christmas gifts" that North Korea has indicated may have been given, Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Army, stated that the US military was "prepared for everything."
According to a report by Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" on December 21, on the 20th local time in the United States, Mark Milly described at a Pentagon press conference that the Korean Peninsula is one of the places where the US military always maintains a high degree of readiness in the world. The alliance with South Korea is "solid as a rock."
For whether North Korea may test-fire a new type of nuclear missile, whether the US military and its regional allies have strengthened their combat readiness level, Miri declined to say. "I think everyone understands that North Korea has shown a lot. So we are ready for everything," he said.
According to reports, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper also confirmed this. He said the United States "can fight tonight" if necessary. However, Espa also emphasized that the diplomatic approach is still the best way to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and he still hopes that the United States and North Korea can resume dialogue and stay on the diplomatic track.
Because the DPRK-US denuclearization negotiations have been delayed and no progress has been made, DPRK-US relations have recently fallen into the most tense state since the first "Gold Special Meeting" was held in Singapore in 2018.
On December 3, Lee Tae Sung, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States, issued a warning to the United States, saying that the end of the year is close to what kind of "Christmas gifts" the North Koreans will prepare, "it depends entirely on the choice of the United States. South Korean public opinion believes that North Korea may launch intercontinental ballistic missiles at Christmas, and US-DPRK relations may be deadlocked again.
Recently, Stephen Bigan, the newly-appointed US Under Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korean Policy, visited South Korea, Japan, and China in an attempt to resume dialogue with the DPRK, but failed to do so.
比 On December 16, Bigan stated in Seoul that the expected progress on the Peninsula issue has not been achieved so far, but the United States will not give up. Regarding North Korea's "end-of-year deadline" for the United States, Bigan stated that the United States did not set a deadline but cherishes the goal of fulfilling the commitments reached by the US and North Korean leaders in their meeting in Singapore.
On the 16th, Bibigen warned the DPRK not to "provoke", saying that similar actions will not help achieve lasting peace on the peninsula. "We and the DPRK have the ability to choose a better way." He said that a provocative missile test launch would be "the least useful" for achieving long-term peace on the Korean peninsula.
(This article comes from Surging News. For more original information, please download the Surging News app.)
